In a shocking development that has rocked the U.S. gymnastics community, Sean Gardner, a former coach at the renowned Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in West Des Moines, Iowa, was arrested by the FBI on August 14, 2025, on federal charges of producing child pornography. The arrest, which followed a raid on Gardner’s home, uncovered 50 video files and approximately 400 photos, including materials identified as child pornography, according to an FBI affidavit. The case, detailed in court records obtained by The Associated Press, also involves allegations of sexual abuse against young gymnasts at Chow’s and secret recordings of others undressing at a previous gym in Mississippi. As the gymnastics world grapples with yet another scandal, questions are mounting about the effectiveness of oversight systems like SafeSport, leaving athletes, parents, and the public demanding answers.

A Promising Coach with a Dark Secret

Sean Gardner, 38, joined Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in September 2018, a prestigious academy known for training Olympic gold medalists Shawn Johnson and Gabby Douglas. Hired by owner Liang “Chow” Qiao, Gardner was seen as a rising star, entrusted with coaching some of the gym’s most promising young athletes and directing the Chow’s Winter Classic, an annual meet drawing over 1,000 gymnasts. “This is the job that I’ve always wanted. Chow is really someone I have looked up to since I’ve been coaching,” Gardner told WOI-TV in 2019, praising the gym’s culture. His tenure saw several students earn college gymnastics scholarships, but behind the scenes, allegations of misconduct were brewing.

Gardner’s departure from Chow’s in 2022 was abrupt and undisclosed at the time. Court records reveal he was suspended by the U.S. Center for SafeSport in July 2022 after a gymnast reported in March 2022 that Gardner used “inappropriate spotting techniques,” touching her inappropriately during training. The gymnast, who trained at Chow’s from 2018 to 2020, also alleged Gardner asked girls about their sexual activity and used derogatory terms like “idiots, sluts, and whores,” providing names of six other potential victims. A second gymnast, who started lessons with Gardner in 2019 at age 11 or 12, came forward in April 2024, describing him as a “father figure” who later engaged in inappropriate touching, recorded her on his phone, and discussed his sex life, according to a now-sealed affidavit.

FBI Raid Uncovers Disturbing Evidence

The FBI’s investigation culminated in a May 2024 search of Gardner’s home, where agents seized multiple electronic devices. The search revealed 50 video files and 400 photos, many depicting girls aged 6 to 14, some nude, changing clothes, or using the bathroom. Investigators believe the footage was recorded via a hidden camera at Jump’In Gymnastics in Purvis, Mississippi, where Gardner coached from 2014 to 2018. One video allegedly shows Gardner entering the bathroom and disabling the camera. Additional images included an adult woman, identified as Gardner’s ex-girlfriend, filmed entering and exiting a bathtub, with both she and the gym’s owner, Candi Workman, confirming the footage originated at Jump’In, which has since closed. Handwritten notes between Gardner and former students were also found, hinting at further inappropriate interactions.

The FBI affidavit indicates Gardner “primarily targeted children” at gyms in Iowa, Mississippi, and Louisiana, where he worked at Athletes in Motion in Prairieville from 2004 to 2014. The agency is now seeking additional victims, underscoring the potential scale of his actions across multiple states over a decade. Gardner faces charges of producing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, which carries a potential 30-year prison sentence.

SafeSport’s Slow Response Under Scrutiny

The case has reignited criticism of SafeSport, the organization created post-Larry Nassar scandal to handle sex-abuse cases in Olympic sports. Despite allegations surfacing in March 2022, SafeSport took four months to suspend Gardner, and his disciplinary case remains unresolved as of August 2025. SafeSport shared reports with West Des Moines police, per its policy, but the initial investigation stalled when only one victim’s mother contacted authorities in 2022, and the victim declined to pursue charges. It was not until the 2024 report that momentum built, leading to the FBI’s involvement.

Critics, including attorney Steve Silvey, argue SafeSport’s slow, opaque process fails victims and the public. “From an outward operational view, it seems that if SafeSport is involved in any way, the situation turns glow-in-the-dark toxic,” Silvey told The Associated Press. He highlighted coordination failures with law enforcement, noting that Gardner’s ability to secure a healthcare job after his suspension illustrates SafeSport’s limited reach beyond sports. “SafeSport is now part of a larger problem rather than a solution,” Silvey added.

A Community in Shock

Chow’s Gymnastics, a beacon for aspiring gymnasts since its founding in 1998, is now grappling with the fallout. The gym, where families relocated to train under Qiao’s renowned program, has not commented publicly, with attempts by The Associated Press to reach them unanswered. The mother of one alleged victim told police she sought a monetary settlement from Chow’s, claiming the gym ignored complaints, but declined further comment. The case echoes the broader trauma of the Nassar scandal, which exposed systemic failures in protecting young athletes, prompting renewed calls for accountability.

Athletes in Motion, Gardner’s former employer in Louisiana, issued a statement affirming cooperation with authorities and emphasizing their commitment to athlete safety. The FBI’s call for additional victims suggests the investigation may widen, potentially implicating other facilities.

Broader Implications for Gymnastics

The arrest comes as U.S. gymnastics seeks to rebuild trust after the Nassar crisis, which led to a $4 billion settlement and the creation of SafeSport. Gardner’s case highlights ongoing challenges in safeguarding young athletes, particularly in high-pressure environments where coaches wield significant influence. The 16-month gap between the 2024 report and Gardner’s arrest underscores the difficulties victims face in coming forward, with retired detective Ken Lang noting that reluctance to cooperate with police is common among abuse survivors.

As Gardner awaits trial, the gymnastics community faces tough questions about vetting, oversight, and the pace of justice. For now, the focus is on supporting potential victims and ensuring such failures are not repeated, as the sport strives to protect its athletes and restore its reputation.